By Tuba Sahin
ANKARA (AA) - Major US stock market indices opened lower Friday as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine yielded no results.
US President Joe Biden will speak to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the phone in a conversation expected to include Russia's war on Ukraine and other issues of mutual concern.
At the bell, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 102.5 points, or 0.30%, to 34,378 at 9.31 a.m. EDT (1331GMT). The S&P 500 fell 17.1 points or 0.39% to 4,394.
The Nasdaq declined 67 points, or 0.49%, to 13,547.
The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, was up 2.03% to 26.19. The dollar index rose 0.65% to 98.60.
Precious metals were lower, with gold declining 0.78% to $1,927 per ounce and silver falling 2% to $25.10.
International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $107.16 per barrel for a 0.49% gain after closing the previous session at $106.64 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $104.25 – a 1.23% rise.